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The objective of this article was to describe the experiences of normalization of pain and injuries among elite adolescent basketball players and their staff. A total of 10 elite adolescent basketball players, ages 15–17 years and eight members of their staff, were interviewed. Results showed that (a) for both players and staff, being able to normalize pain is considered as a necessity and requires experience; injury is regarded as inevitable and as a way to gain body expertise and (b) technical and medical staffs have difficulties in agreeing on pain and injury management. The originality of the results presented lies in the fact that the elite players interviewed are in training; and that the expectations of the players, the technical staff, and the medical staff were questioned at the same time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we provide a diachronic and synchronic study of the socialisation processes that contribute to participation in Paralympic Games. We will focus both on the socializations that were involved in the engagement in elite sports practice, and on the socializations that took place during the preparation for the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. Thirteen athletes who took part in the Rio Paralympic Games were interviewed. Beyond the diversity of the sports socialisation experiences of French athletes who participated in the Paralympic Games, this article also highlights similarities: the results highlight i) the importance of early socialisation to sport practice; ii) that commitment in high-performance paralympic sport is determined by a very rapid progression in the athletes' performances; iii) the essential role of family as an emotional, financial and organisational support. These results reveal social levers and brakes to the optimisation of Paralympic performance, and in this sense can be used to guide the accompaniment of athletes by Paralympic institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]